Former Chief Justice of India A S Anand is likely to take over from Justice J S Verma as chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, sources told rediff.com

Justice Verma retires in January.

Only a retired CJI can be the chairman of the NHRC and he can serve for five years or till the age of 70, whichever is earlier.

If Justice Anand takes charge of the NHRC, he would have a tenure of little more than three years.

Meanwhile, former CJI B N Kirpal has been appointed chairman of the National Forest Commission, while the government is still looking for a retired judge of the Supreme Court to head the Tehelka Commission of Inquiry.

A former judge of the Supreme Court, Justice U C Banerjee, is being appointed chairman of the Authority on Advance Ruling For Customs and Excise, a post held by Justice N Venkataswamy, who also headed the Tehelka panel.